Clothes hamper



P. c. GUNN CLOTHES HAMPER Feb. 17, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 26, 1956 Invenlor Paul C. Gar??? er 6} Gaffer P. c. GUNN CLOTHES HAMPER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I; nvezzfor Pall? C. G50??? .9 iv 51?? 5% Uarzer Feb. 17, 1959 Filed Nov. 26, 1956 P. C. GUNN CLOTHES HAMPER Feb. 17, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 26, 1956 v 42 16 84- F r rn w 2 0 m ,vdmq M j w MM Md 3 v ./II.IHIIIIH/|I|IIIIIIIII /lllllllll n a P, a U l|| llllllll 11 P 111i M |||1 l n UJ a a m 1% m L 1|.||l|||||,|.| I 3 3 f f I W 8 w g 3 Feb. 17, 1959 v P. c. GUNN 2,873,782

' CLOTHES HAMPER Filed NOV. 26, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 17, 1959 P. c. GUNN 73,782

CLOTHES HAMPER Filed Nov. 26, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I I jnvenzor' 96 Q 96 Fall] C. 650772 F5 13 T 912 57 il fiiigi United States Patent CLOTHES HAMPER Paul C. Gunn, Fort Worth, Tex., assignor to Lorna Plastics, Inc., Fort Worth, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application November 26, 1956, Serial No. 624,287

12 Claims. (Cl. 150-48) This invention is in the field of containers such as clothes hampers or the like, preferably made entirely out of plastic by injection molding, although it is by no means limited in this respect.

A primary object of my invention is a plastic container, such as a clothes hamper or the like, having good air circulation to prevent clothes from mildewing.

Another object is a plastic clothes hamper having a hinged top with a simplified but efiective hinge.

- Another object is a clothes hamper, preferably a11- plastic, with a'pivoted top constructed to withstand large compressive loads.

1 2,873,782 Patented Feb. 17, 1 959 ice creasing in width so that the side wall between adjacent corner portions, such as the short wall 20, decreases in lateral width upwardly as shown in Figure 4.

The major or longer walls 18 are each provided with an intermediate somewhat centrally located ofi'set portion or wall 34 which is tapered upwardly increasing in width so that the major walls are divided into generally equal wall sections 36 that are also generally equal to and approximately the same size as the minor walls 20.

At each of the offset corner portions and also at the intermediate offset portion 34, I provide depressions 38 which are integral with the bottom wall 14 and offset portions. These depressions are shown as somewhat squareand projecting below the bottom wall 14 to function as feet or supports for the hamper. It should also be noticed that the offset walls 30 and 32 and the well rounded corner 28, joining the sections 24 and 26, flow jection at each corner to function as legs or supports and Another object is a rectangular all-plastic clothes hamper with integral reinforcing offset portions.

Another object is a rectangular clothes hamper which may be injection molded. Anotherobject is a rib structure for the top of an allplastic clothes hamper or the like providing substantial air circulation.

Another object is a new and improved hinge structure for a container.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the ensuing specification and drawings in which:

1 Figure 1 is a front view of my clothes hamper partly in section; i

Figure 2 is a side view; Figure 3 is a side view, partly in section, on an enlarged scale with the top removed;

' Figure 4 is a top view with the top or cover removed;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the ,topor cover, removed from the container;

Figure 6 is a side view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the hinges on the body or container;

Figure 7 is a section along line 7--7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a section on an enlarged scale along line. 88 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a section along line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a section along line 10-10 of Figure 11; l0;

Figure 11 is a section along line 1111 of Figure Figure 12 is a side view of a detail, and, Figure 13 is an end View of Figure 12.

also a supporting leg generally in the middle of the major or longer Walls 18. 7

Both the inner and outer surfaces of the offset portions at the corners and intermediate the major walls taper upwardly increasing in width as shown in Figures 1 and 2, for example. i I provide an offset or flange 40 toward the top of the hamper. Above the flange the 'top edge of the hamper is rolled over outwardly at 42 providing, as shown in In the-drawings, the container is shown in the form I of a clothes hamper but there are certain features and characteristics that might be used in other structures. In any event, the hamper has a body 10 and a cover or top 12. The body or main container is closed at its lower end by an integral wall 14 and is open at its upper end as at 16. As shown, the body has a polygonal cross section with four sides in the form of a rectangle truncated upwardly or tapered so that the base is smaller than the top. The longer or major, side walls 18 join the shorter or minor walls 20 at corner sections or portions 22 which are-offset outwardly. The corner portions are integral with the sidewalls and taperedupwardly. As shown, each corner portion has generally perpendicular sections 24 and 26 joined by a smooth, well-rounded, integral turn 28, with offset walls 30 and 32 joining the adjacent side. walls. Each section 24- and 26 tapers upwardly in-' Figure 4, a smooth upper surface or rolled edge to support the top. I v

The top 12 has a turned over flange or skirt 44 which is constructed to closely oppose and fully overlie the rolled edge 42 on the hamper. The lower or inner surface of the top is provided with an integral rib construc tion as in Figure 5. As shown, this bracing or ribbing includes a marginal rib 46 which is somewhat parallel to the skirt 44, but uniformlyspaced from it, thereby providing a continuous downwardly opening channel or groove 48, which receives and conforms to-the turned over edge of the hamper. Within the rectangle or area defined by the marginal rib 46, I may provide any suitable ribbing. I have shown diagonal ribs 50 which extend from one corner to the other crossing generally at the center 52 and longitudinal and lateral ribs 54 and 56. I

may provide arcuate ribs 58 at each end and a circular 'rib 60 around the center merging with the marginal ribs 46 on each side 61. j The downwardly opening channel 48 extending around the side is spanned by a suitable number of lateral ribs which may be formed as extensions of the marginal ribs at the corners as at 62, as extensions of the main lateral ri-b in the center, as at 64, and with additional spanning ribs 66 at intermediate locations, as desired. In any event, these spanning ribs rest against the rolled over upper edge of the body or container to hold the channel in spaced relation to all points to the rolled over edge. Thus, the skirt of the top and the rolled over edge on all sides provide an air vent or open slot for the circulation of air to prevent the clothes in' the hamper, which are normally moist, from spoiling and mildewing.

Additionally, on the top I provide a cover or plate 68 which may be buttoned to the top by a plurality of downwardly projecting buttons 70 through suitable apertures 72.

were

vided with an outstanding wall 78 below the countersink. Side walls 80'on each side complete theeockefwith the wall of the body terminating at 82. The inner surfaces of the walls 80 are provided with concave, somewhat spherical portions 84 Opp sing each other.

A ball element 86 depends from the top and is disposed in the channel 48. As shown, the, ball is slotted at.88 to provide two somewhat spaced, flexiblelobes 90, each of which hasa somewhat spherical portion 92, back. to back. The opposed .or inner surfaces of the lobes have concave recesses 94 adapted to receive spherical projections 96 on a circular wedge element 98. The lobes are otherwise flexible and to insert the ball, the wedge is removed and the lobes compressed together andinserted in the socket. Thereafter, the wedge is forced between the lobes until the spherical projections 96 pop into the slots or recesses 94 providing a solid hinge. The top'may be'mounted on the body by havingthe top'in itsjr'aised position. 'The'lob'esare compressed and PQPPedfinfo the sockets. Thereafter, fromt'h'e 'ins idethe wedgesmay he slipped intothefslot 88' between the lobes. The use, operation and function ofrny ,inventionam as'follows: i ii I provide a preferably all-plastic clothes hamper, although many of the features are applicable to other devices. Irrespective, the clothes hamper has a top which is hinged preferably at two places. The lower surface of the top has a rib structure which in additionto reinforcing the top providing a structurally strong member, and additionally spaces the top at all points from the rolled over upper edge of the container, thereby .providing a continuous peripheral air gap giving good air circulation. I connect the top and bottom together by a hinge structure which includes a ball and socket. The rolled over edge of the body is preferably countersunk into a socket. The ribbing and skirt on the top provides a continuous downwardly opening channel and the ball elements depend fronibut' are confined in the channel. When the top is mounted, the channel conforms to and somewhat surrounds the rolled over 'upper edge [Of the body.

The ball element is slotted and divided into two lobes which are somewhat flexible and maybe compressed and popped into the socket. The'wedge element can be in- 'serted into the slot thereby providing a solid ball. i

' The top is provided'with a plate which is buttoned .into a suitable number of apertures for additional strength and decorative purposes.

The body has ofiset corner portions and intermediate offset portions in the major walls. Depressions in the form of supports or legs are formedas c'ontin u'ations of the oifset portions, andt'he'bottoni wall is'show'n as separate planes rising to a'common central platform 1 00.

Additionally, the hamper is well ventilated, structurally strong, but inexpensive "to make. Thet'op is reinforced and will withstand bending loads. The jsidewa11s6r the container are reinforced by the" ofiset portion's fo carry compressive loads caused'by articles being placedon the top. The ball and socket elements of the hinge are aligned so'that compressive loads merely tend to drive the ball element into the socket, rather than separating them. The hamper can be easily cleaned, will not rust or break and can be easily handled due to its light weight.

While I have shown and described the preferred form and suggested various modifications of my invention, it should be understood that suitable additional modifica tions exist which will be obvious. For example, while I have stated that the device is preferably all-plastic, it might be otherwise. Additionally, I have referredtof the invention as s clothes'hampen'bufmany important feat tures could be used in other devices. The tapers'of the body or container areimportant in injection moldingso that the device can be gotten out of the mold. The top and body are, of course, molded separately. It is im: portant that the ribbing in the top l e integral. The wedge 98 might be metal or plastic. With these and other changes in mind, I, therefore, wish that the invention be unrestricted except as by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a container, such as a clothes hamper or the like, a body with side walls, an open upper end, and a bottom wall closing the lower end, a top connected to the body by hinges, each hinge including two elements, one on the body and the other on the top, one element being a partially open socket with concave spherical portions'and theother element, being a ball with convexspherical portions matching the concave spherical portions of .the socket, the ball being 'splitand including spaced, relatively flexible lobes, and an insertable wedge element in the ball split holding the convex spherical portions of the ball in the concave spherical portions of the socket.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the inner surfaces of -,the lobes of each ball include concave opposed spherical portions, and the wedge elements include matching convex spherical portions.

- 3; The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the sockets open both upwardly and outwardly.

h 4. In a plastic container, such as a clothes hamper or the like, a body closed at its lower end by an integral bottom wall and at its upper end by a top, a hinge connecting thetop and body, the upper endof the body being rolled-over outwardly thereby presenting a smooth upper edge to the top, the ,outer edges of the top 'having an arcuate skirt conforming generally to but spaced frorn the rolled over upper end of the body, the lower surface of the top having an integral rib-network joined to the skirt at .a plurality of points so that the rib network rests on and separates the top from the smooth upper-edge of the body thereby providing a peripheral gap for air circulation.

5. The structure of claim 4 further characterizedin that the integral rib structure includes ,an integral marginal rib conforming to but generally uniformly spaced from the dependingskirt thereby providing a downwardly opening channel to receive the rolled over upper end of the body when the top is closed, and a plurality of integral ribs spanning the downwardly opening channel to engage the rolled over upper edge of the body and to support the top thereon, when closed.

6. The structure of claim 5 further characterizedin that the body, in cross section, and the top are rectangular, and the hinge is disposed, in part, in the downwardly opening channel and, in part, is countersunk in the rolled over upper end of the body.

7. The structure of claim 5 further characterized in that the hinge includes a socket element countersunk in the rolled over upper end of the body and a ball element projecting down from but confined in the downwardly opening channel of the top.

8. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that each partially open socket is on the body and each 'ball is on "the top.

9. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the upper end of the body is rolled over outwardly, the outer edge of the top having a skirt which conforms generally to but is spaced from the rolled over upper end of the body, a rib structure on the top defining a peripheral downwardly opening channel with the skirt which conforms generally to and overlies the rolled over upper end of the body. 10. The structure of claim 9 further characterized in that the socket of each hinge is countersunk in the rolled e uppe e f e bo y, a eac ba l is d spos in thepefipheral channel andprojects down from the top.

The structure of claim 4 further characterized in that the hinge includes two elements, one. on the top and the other on the body, one element being a partially open socket with concave spherical portions and the other-element being a ball with convex spherical portions match-v 4 8. he espse es he i Portions of-the socket, the ball asrsnes being split and including spaced, relatively flexible lobes, and an in'sertable wedge element in the ball split holding the convex spherical portions of the ball in the concave spherical portions of the socket, the inner surfaces of the lobes of the ball including concave opposed spherical portions, the wedge element having matching convex spherical portions.

12. In a plastic container, such as a clothes hamper or the like, a body closed at its lower end by an end wall and at its upper end by a top which is connected thereto by hinges, the upper end of the body being rolled over outwardly, thereby presenting a smooth upper edge to the top, the outer edges of the top having a depending skirt conforming generally to but spaced from the rolled over upper end of the body, elements spaced peripherally around the edges of the top and bottom but separating the outer edges of the top from the smooth upper edge of the body to provide a peripheral gap for air circulation, and a downwardly opening channel in the top opposite the rolled over edge of the body and conforming generally thereto when the top is closed, each hinge being disposed, in part, in the downwardly open channel and, in part, countersunk in the rolled over upper end of the body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,713,349 Owen May 14, 1929 2,333,014 Kennedy Oct. 26, 1943 2,409,489 Hurt Oct. 15, 1946 2,457,066 Pepersack Dec. 21, 1948 2,725,087 Potter Nov. 29, 1955 2,765,832 Tupper Oct. 9, 1956 2,768,667 Hill Oct. 30, 1956 

